Time delay device



June 4, 1963 E. F. WEBB 3,091,932

TIME DELAY DEVICE Original Filed May '7, 1958 /NVENTOR EDMOND WEBB MYLW A TTORNE Y5 United States Patent 3,091,932 THVIE DELAY DEVICE Edmond F. Webb, Franklin, Mich., assignor to The Delman Company, Cookeville, Tenn., a corporation of Tennessee Original application May 7, 1958, Ser. No. 733,621, now Patent No. 2,970,336, dated Feb. 7, 1961. Divided and this application Nov. 1, 1960, Ser. No. 66,578 2 Claims. (Cl. 60-545) This invention relates to time delay devices and more particularly to a time delay device enclosing a fluid which is responsive to another fluid under pressure for effecting a reciprocal movement of an actuating member at diiferent rates of movement.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved time delay device.

Another object of this invention is to provide a time delay device which can be interposed in a fluid transmitting line of an operative unit and mechanically connected to another operative unit to actuate and to deactuate the latter unit in a timed sequence responsive to the pressure of fluid in the line.

A further object of this invention is to provide a time delay device including a triumvirate of power transmitting devices each of which is responsive to another and the first of which is fluid responsive to the actuation of an operative unit, the second of which is operatively connected to another operative unit, and the third of which is operable to transmit power from the former to the latter operative unit at a differential rate of transmission.

Another object of this invention is to provide an arrangement for attaining the above mentioned objectives which is economical to manufacture, easy to install, and effective in service and operation.

These objects and other advantages will become readily apparent by reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention in combination with a conventional valve unit;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the time delay device of this invention, with the internal mechanism thereof shown in a normal or rest position, and showing a portion of the valve broken away;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. '2 wherein the internal mechanism of the time delay device is shown in an operative position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of certain parts of FIG. 2, with some parts broken away for the purpose of clarity; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged detail views of the retainer element of FIG. 4.

This application is a division of my co-pending application filed May 7, 1958, Serial No. 733,621, now Patent No. 2,970,336. With reference to the drawing, the time delay device of this invention, indicated generally at 10, is illustrated in FIG. 1 in operative engagement with a commercially available valve 11 for regulating the flow of either water, gas, or air therethrough. The device is also shown fluid connected to a hose 41 which leads to a unit (not shown) the operation of which results in a supply of fluid under pressure being transmitted through the hose 41 to the time delay device 10.

As will be described hereinafter in detail, the time delay device 10 is adapted to operate the valve 11, for example to permit the passage of fluid therethrough, concurrently with the receipt of fluid under pressure through the hose 41. Then upon a depressurization of the fluid in the hose 41, the device 10 is conditioned to initiate a time delay action so that the valve 11 continues to pass fluid therethrough for a timed interval, after which the device 10 operates to shutoff the valve 11.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2-6, the time delay device 10 is comprised generally of an elongated cylindrical body or housing 46 which includes a pair of hollow end sections 47 and 43 arranged in a face to face relation and separated in .a fluid tight manner by a valve plate unit 49. The end section 47 includes a tubular extension member 50 which is adapted to be fitted to the hose 41 (FIG. 2), and the end section 48 is provided with an elongated extension 51 connected at its outer end to a threaded connector 52 secured to an open threaded end 53 of the valve unit 11. A bore 54 is formed through the square extension 51.

A flexible diaphragm 56 is mounted within the end section 47 with its peripheral edge secured in a fluid tight manner at the junction 57 between the end section 47 and the valve unit 49. The valve plate unit 49 includes a plate member 53, which forms a fluid tight wall between the end sections 47 and 48, an inlet valve unit 59 secured to the plate member 58, and an outlet valve unit 61 which is also secured to the plate member 53. A circular washer member 62 is secured to the side of the plate member 58 facing the end section 43, and a passage 63 is formed centrally in the plate member 58 for a purpose hereinafter described. An opening 64 (FIG. 4) is formed in the periphery of the valve plate unit 49 whereby to open the end section 48 to the atmosphere, .a plug member 66 being normally inserted in the opening 64.

The inlet valve unit 59 comprises generally a conventional one-way ball type check valve mounted adjacent an opening 67 formed in the plate member 58, and is operable to permit a flow of fluid from the end section 47 through the opening 67 to the end section 43, but arranged to prevent .a reverse flow or a flow from the end section 48 through the passage 67 to the end section 47.

The outlet valve unit 61, which operates as a bleed valve, comprises a generally U-shaped retainer 68 (FIGS. 5 and 6) having a base portion 69 connected between a pair of transversely spaced legs 71 formed with outwardly extended flanges 72 at their outer ends to adapt the retainer 68 for mounting to the side of the plate member 58 facing the end section 47. The junction between each leg 71 and the base portion 69 is in the form of a shoulder 73 against which the circular head portion 74 (FIG. 4) of a bleed plug 75 is adapted to seat.

The bleed plug 75 includes the circular head portion 74 and a shaft end 77 comprising two portions 77a and 77b. The portion 77a is the outermost portion and has a diameter slightly smaller than the portion 77b, while in turn the inner portion 77b has a diameter slightly smaller than that of the opening 63 in the plate member 58. A coil spring 76 is arranged between the retainer seat 69 and the head portion 74 to bias the bleed plug shaft 77 through the opening 63.

Mounted within the end section 48 is a cup-shaped retainer 78 the concave side of which faces the outer end of the section 48. An actuator head 79, mounted centrally of the retainer 78, is connected at one end with an actuator Wire 8t), extended through the bore 54 of the extension 51, and connected at its outer end to a plunger 81 Within the valve unit 11, the movement of which is adapted to open and close the unit iii. A depression 82 (FIG. 3) formed in the other end of the actuator head 79 is adapted to receive the pointed end 83 (FIG. 4) of the bleed plug shaft 77. The retainer 78 is biased toward a position, as shown in FIG. 2, by a coil spring 84 which is arranged between the base portion 37 of the retainer 73 and a circular shoulder 36 formed within the outer end of the end section 48.

A flexible diaphragm 88 is secured at its peripheral edge in a fluid tight manner to the junction 89 (FIG. 2) between the end section 48 and the valve plate unit 49, and is adapted to assume a normal position best indicated in PEG. 2, wherein the diaphragm 88 is contiguous with the surface of the convex side of the retainer facingthe valve plate member 58.

Of note, the internal arrangement of the time delay device 10 is such that the two cavities or chambers formed by the separation of the end sections 47 and 48 by the valve plate unit 49 are each divided into two expansible compartments by virtue of the diaphragm 56 mounted within the section 47 and by the diaphragm 88 mounted within the section 48 (FIG. 2). It is noted additionally that by connecting the tubular extension 50 f the end section 47 to the hose 41, the diaphragm 56 is responsive to the fiow and lack of flow of pressurized fluid through the hose 41.

For the purpose of transmitting power generated by the movement of the diaphragm 56 from its normal position (FIG. 2) to an actuated position (FIG. 3), so as to in turn move the diaphragm 88 and and the retainer 78 against the compression of the coil spring 84, a liquid such as oil is inserted into the section 48 through the opening 64 (FIG. 4). Of importance, the liquid, initially trapped between the diaphragm 88 and the plate member 58, bleeds through the space 74 provided between the passage 63 and the bleed plug shaft 77 and into the compartment between the plate member 58 and the diaphragm 56.

Thus, the time delay device 10 includes a triurnvirate of responsively related power transmitting means, namely: the diaphragm 56; the liquid trapped on both sides of the plate member 58 but movable therethrough due to the valve units 59 and 61; and the diaphragm 38.

In the operation of the time delay device, let it be assumed that the position of the elements disposed therein as viewed in FIG. 2 correspond to an open position of the valve unit 11 wherein a fluid is passed therethrough. Upon operation of a unit (not shown) to supply fluid under pressure through the hose 41 and into the time delay end section 47, the diaphragm 56 is forced to the left, as viewed in H6. 3. This movement of the diaphragm 56 in turn'forces the liquid between the diaphragm 56 and the plate member 58 through the inlet valve unit at a certain rate of flow and into the compartment between the diaphragm 88 and the plate member 58.

The increased quantity and pressure of the liquid in turn forces the diaphragm and the retainer 78 from their FIG. 2 position to their FIG. 3 position, whereby the actuator head 79 and the wire 80 are also moved to the left (FIG. 3). The resulting movement of the actuator wire 80 forces the plunger 81 further into the valve unit 11 where it may be assumed the flow of liquid therethrough is stopped. Thus, concurrently with the application of a fluid pressure through the hose 4]., the time delay device operates the valve unit 11 to close.

It may be noted that as the actuator head 79' moves to the left (FIG. 3), it moves out of contact with the point 83 of the bleed plug shaft 77, whereby the plug 75 is moved from its position of FIG. 2 to a position best shown in FIG. 3, due to the expansion force of the coil spring '76. This movement of the plug 75 locates the shaft portion 77b within the opening 63.

Upon a releasing of the fluid pressure in the hose 41, and thus releasing the fluid pressure against the diaphragm 56 (FIG. 3), the liquid trapped between the diaphragm 88 and the plate member 58 is now subjected to the pressure of the biased retainer 78 and the diaphragm 88 tending to move to the right to thus return to its normal position. This pressure forces a slow bleeding of the liquid back through the space between the portion 77b of the bleed shaft 77 at a rate of flow slower than that through the inlet valve 59, whereby the diaphragm 88 and retainer 78 move slowly toward the right. Before the diaphragm 83 reaches its inoperative position of FIG. 2, the actuator bead 79, at its depression 82, contacts the bleed shaft point 83 and forces the bleed plug 75 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 2, and against the compression of the spring 76. This movement locates the shaft portion 77a within the opening 63, and as the area between the shaft 77 and the opening 63 is increased by virtue of the smaller diameter of the portion 77a relative to that of the portion 7712, the rate of escape of the liquid through the opening 63 is now increased and concurrently, the diaphragm 88, retainer 78 and also the Wire 80 move faster to the right.

Thus, a sequential slow-fast liquid bleed occurs, i.e., an initial slow bleed to delay the action of the plunger 81 in opening the valve unit 11, and a final fast bleed to assure a quick positive movement of the plunger 81 to its position for opening the valve unit 11. Upon actuation, then, of a unit (not shown) to pressurize the line 41, the time delay device 10 concurrently initiates a time delay operation calculated to maintain the valve unit 11 in a shut-off condition for an interval of time subsequent to the de-actuation of the unshown unit to depressurize the line 41.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it is not to be so limited as various modifications and alternate constructions may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A time delay device including a housing having a partition wall therein to form a pair of chambers, with each of said chambers having an opening therein, a diaphragm unit in each of said chambers, said diaphragm units being arranged at opposite sides of said wall, a liquid disposed on both sides of said wall in contacting relation with said diaphragm units, with the diaphragm unit in a first of said chambers being fluid connected with a source of fluid under pressure through the opening in said first chamber for response to the flow of fluid into and out of said first chamber, a reciprocally movable actuating member inthe second of said chambers movable through the opening in said second chamber and connected to the diaphragm unit in said second chamber, means in said second chamber for biasing said actuating member toward said wall, and a pair of valve means on said well providing for a reversed flow of liquid therethrough at dissimilar rates, such that the flow to move said actuator member in a direction away from said Wall is at a rate faster than the rate of flow in a reversed direction effected by said biasing means, with one of said valve means being operable to an open position therefor by movement of the actuating member in said reversed direction.

2. A time delay device including a housing having a partition wall therein to form a pair of chambers, each of said chambers having an opening therein, a reciprocating working member in each of said chambers being arranged at opposite sides of said wall to partition each chamber, a liquid disposed on both sides of said wall in contacting relation with said Working members, the Working member in the first of said chambers being fluid connected with a source of fluid under pressure through the opening in said first chamber for response to the flow of fluid into and out of said first chamber, a reciprocally movable actuating member in the second of said chambers movable through the opening in said second chamber and connected to the working member in said second chamber, resilient means in said second chamber for biasing said actuating member toward said Wall, and a first and second valve means on said wall providing for a reversed flow of liquid therethrough at dissimilar rates, such that the flow to move said actuator member in a direction away from said wall is at a rate faster than the rate of flow in a reversed direction efiected by said biasing means, with one of said valve means being operable to an open position by movement of the actuating member in said reversed direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,805,802 Browne May 19, 1931 2,281,538 Leichsenring Apr. 28, 1942 2,730,354 Burris Jan. 10, 1956 2,852,965 Wallace Sept. 23, 1958 2,903,854 Harty Sept. 15, 1959 

2. A TIME DELAY DEVICE INCLUDING A HOUSING HAVING A PARTITION WALL THEREIN TO FORM A PAIR OF CHAMBERS, EACH OF SAID CHAMBERS HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN, A RECIPROCATING WORKING MEMBER IN EACH OF SAID CHAMBERS BEING ARRANGED AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID WALL TO PARTITION EACH CHAMBER, A LIQUID DISPOSED ON BOTH SIDES OF SAID WALL IN CONTACTING RELATION WITH SAID WORKING MEMBERS, THE WORKING MEMBER IN THE FIRST OF SAID CHAMBERS BEING FLUID CONNECTED WITH A SOURCE OF FLUID UNDER PRESSURE THROUGH THE OPENING IN SAID FIRST CHAMBER FOR RESPONSE TO THE FLOW OF FLUID INTO AND OUT OF SAID FIRST CHAMBER, A RECIPROCALLY MOVABLE ACTUATING MEMBER IN THE SECOND OF SAID CHAMBERS MOVABLE THROUGH THE OPENING IN SAID SECOND CHAMBER AND CONNECTED TO THE WORKING MEMBER IN SAID SECOND CHAMBER, RESILIENT MEANS IN SAID SECOND CHAMBER FOR BIASING SAID ACTUATING MEMBER TOWARD SAID WALL, AND A FIRST AND SECOND VALVE MEANS ON SAID WALL PROVIDING FOR A REVERSED FLOW OF LIQUID THERETHROUGH AT DISSIMILAR RATES, SUCH THAT THE FLOW TO MOVE SAID ACTUATOR MEMBER IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM SAID WALL IS AT A RATE FASTER THAN THE RATE OF FLOW IN A REVERSED DIRECTION EFFECTED BY SAID BIASING MEANS, WITH ONE OF SAID VALVE MEANS BEING OPERABLE TO AN OPEN POSITION BY MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATING MEMBER IN SAID REVERSED DIRECTION. 